Geelong haven't put a line through Tom Hawkins for their AFL opener after the side's lack of offensive potency was exposed by Brisbane in their final pre-season hit-out.
Hawkins had foot surgery during the off-season and was missed in the Cats' 46-point loss on Thursday to the Lions.
Fellow premiership stars Jeremy Cameron and Isaac Smith were both rested, but assistant coach Shaun Grigg said both were fit to play Collingwood on March 17.
Hawkins is less likely to join them but Grigg dangled a carrot when asked how the big forward was tracking.
"It's probably a bit too early to say whether he'll be there round one or not, but certainly he's looking fit and moving around that forward line looking happy to be out on the track that's for sure," he said.
"He (Cameron) has had a great pre-season and we've got a number of our older statesmen that are on their individual plans and Jezza ... will be ready to go."
Without Hawkins and Cameron prowling up front, the Cats enjoyed 20 forward 50 entries to Brisbane's nine in the first quarter but mustered just two points.
"Yeah we had a bit of a different forward line tonight," Grigg said.
"It was good to see Ollie Dempsey get another crack at it, Sam Simpson was in the side so those guys will get great confidence.
"Yeah we had a lot of inside 50s, probably didn't convert as much as we would have hoped or liked, it just shows we've got a bit to work on and we'll go to work."
Mark Blicavs (illness) was a late scratching while Jake Kolodjashnij will be assessed after leaving the field in the second half after a head knock.
